author
St. George Jackson Mivart
1827–1900
A Victorian biologist and zoologist, he became widely known for first supporting evolution and later challenging Charles Darwin’s idea of natural selection. His books brought big scientific debates to general readers while reflecting his deep interest in both anatomy and faith.
1 Audiobook
On the Genesis of Species
by St. George Jackson Mivart
About the author
Born in London on November 30, 1827, St. George Jackson Mivart was an English biologist best known for his work in comparative anatomy and for his place in the great evolution debates of the 19th century. He studied law at first, later turned to science, and became especially interested in the structure of animals, including primates.
Mivart was closely connected with leading scientific circles of his day and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Although he initially accepted evolutionary ideas, he became one of the best-known critics of Darwin’s explanation of evolution by natural selection. His book On the Genesis of Species helped make him a prominent public voice in scientific and religious discussion.
He also wrote works such as The Cat: An Introduction to the Study of Backboned Animals, admired for its clarity and detail. Mivart spent much of his career trying to reconcile scientific inquiry with Roman Catholic belief, a position that often placed him in the middle of fierce arguments. He died in London on April 1, 1900.